July+5+logger+notes

Packed with action. So much to do. That’s what it’s like at the KWP State Fair. Today felt like a Monday, coming back from a day off. But, that’s okay. Monday’s are Dollar Days at the state fair and we are going to get a lot of bang for our buck today. Agriculture is always a major focus. Fellows at the fair began with a trip to the dairy (the C.O.W.) to get the tools they needed for the day. One of the venders, Christine, kept shouting she had the directions for a barn, but she had no takers this early in the day. The sound and excitement of the fair swelled as more and more fellows arrived. Music, talking, and good food (pistachios, seasoned pretzels, licorice)—that’s what it’s all about. (Sorry, Marilyn, they are fresh out of feta cheese.) Fairboard co-president, Gerri, gathered the fellows together with some announcements. “The deadline for fair entries is tomorrow. Two is the minimum number of entries for the anthology project. Make sure they each have the appropriate entry tag.” Dan wanted clarification. “Aren’t the research projects entered on Monday?” he asked. “No, they have to be in Friday. The judging for that entry will be taking place over the weekend.” She also explained there would be some changes to the schedule printed in the fairbook. “In today’s schedule the morning will be flipped with the afternoon. Tomorrow we will be headed off the fairgrounds to try some of the local fare at Anchor Inn for lunch. Make sure you wear your yellow shirt.” With the deadline for entries looming, the fellows spent the rest of the morning putting the final touches on their projects. Fair technicians were on hand to offer assistance to anyone having difficulty getting their projects entered. After lunch the fellows gathered in the 4-H building to watch the demonstrations. There was a commotion in the crowd as Kendra rushed the stage, only to be pushed away. A sigh of relief swept through the fellows as they realized it was just part of the attention getting introduction to Christine’s demonstration on point of view. After reviewing nouns with a story, a picture was revealed of a shoe stepping in gum. Christine asked for audience participation to name the nouns in the picture and write a short paragraph from the point of view of one of these nouns. Sandy chose to be the gum as she described a life that began as a bubble. Becky, the sole of the shoe, recounted all the many and wondrous things that she had stepped in that day. Taking on the life of the boy, Dennis explained the complex circumstances of his day that were only made more difficult by stepping on a piece of gum. Christine concluded her demonstration with a round of “Go, Eeck, Swish, Kerplunk”, a Kagan activity, which was enjoyed by all. The fellows traveled to the Farm Bureau Stage where a panel was ready to discuss the issues of the day (Chapters 3 and 4 of Because Writing Matters). Fairboard co-president Gerri led the panel discussion. The panel discussed the issues back and forth, at times sparking outbursts from the crowd of fellows. It was evident this group is very passionate about professional development and writing across the curriculum. More announcements from the fairboard followed the panel discussion. Fellows that participate in the KWP State Fair are eligible to proceed to the Advanced Institute held in the fall. It consists of 20 hours of writing and will earn the participant 1 more credit hour. Fair manager, Dennis, will give the fellows more details next week. Walking through the aisles of the vendor building the fellows were drawn to Kendra’s exhibit. Her exhibit offered the opportunity to write a letter to someone important in your life. Love, caring, and respect were evident in Kendra’s letter to her dad and Christine’s letter to her mom. The fair wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the grand stand to see the big acts perform. Today the grand stand featured the “Tall Tale Players”. The fellows were treated to performances by Sergeant Buckley and Dolly, and Rag Bob Jean Pants (starring Ima Specialgirl). Previews were given on future shows about graffiti and flour. Tired and worn out from a day at the fair the fellows headed home. Packed with action. So much to do. That’s what it’s like at the KWP State Fair.